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Journalism Majors’ Salary Over the Career
This figure shows median earnings by age for those who majored in Journalism but have a bachelor’s degree only: “This Major (BA only)”, and those who majored in Journalism but obtained a masters degree or higher: “This Major (Grad Degree)”. For reference, “All Majors (BA only)” contains the median income for all college graduates who have a bachelor’s degree only, and “All Majors (Grad Degree)” contains the median income for all college graduates who have a Master’s degree or higher.
This table highlights key outcomes for Journalism majors, compared to averages for all college graduates.
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Top 10 Early-Career Occupations (Bachelor’s only)
These are the top occupations for Journalism majors aged 25-35 who have a BA only (no graduate degree) and the median income they received in the occupation. The share indicates the percentage of Journalism majors aged 25-35 with a BA only who worked in that occupation.
| Share | Occupation | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | Editors, News Analysts, Reporters, and Correspondents | 54,800 |
| 8 | Managers in Marketing, Advertising, and Public Relations | 74,600 |
| 4 | Managers, nec (including Postmasters) | 74,800 |
| 4 | Actors, Producers, and Directors | 62,400 |
| 4 | Writers and Authors | 56,700 |
| 3 | Other Business Operations and Management Specialists | 64,100 |
| 3 | Public Relations Specialists | 68,500 |
| 3 | Customer Service Representatives | 51,600 |
| 3 | First-Line Supervisors of Sales Workers | 54,800 |
| 2 | Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | 42,700 |
Top 10 Mid-Career Occupations (Bachelor’s only)
These are the top occupations for Journalism majors aged 45-55 who have a BA only (no graduate degree) and the median income they received in the occupation. The share indicates the percentage of Journalism majors aged 45-55 with a BA only who worked in that occupation.
| Share | Occupation | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Unemployed | 0 |
| 8 | Editors, News Analysts, Reporters, and Correspondents | 85,400 |
| 6 | Managers in Marketing, Advertising, and Public Relations | 120,000 |
| 5 | Managers, nec (including Postmasters) | 107,000 |
| 4 | Writers and Authors | 66,800 |
| 3 | First-Line Supervisors of Sales Workers | 74,200 |
| 2 | Chief executives and legislators/public administration | 214,000 |
| 2 | Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | 43,900 |
| 2 | Public Relations Specialists | 102,000 |
| 2 | Actors, Producers, and Directors | 96,700 |
Top 10 Mid-Career Occupations (Master’s Degree or higher)
These are the top occupations for Journalism majors aged 45-55 who have completed graduate work (Masters, PhD, Professional Degree) and the median income they received in the occupation. The share indicates the percentage of Journalism majors aged 45-55 with graduate degrees who worked in that occupation.
| Share | Occupation | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | Lawyers, and judges, magistrates, and other judicial workers | 159,000 |
| 7 | Elementary and Middle School Teachers | 73,100 |
| 6 | Postsecondary Teachers | 80,000 |
| 5 | Managers, nec (including Postmasters) | 140,000 |
| 5 | Managers in Marketing, Advertising, and Public Relations | 143,000 |
| 5 | Editors, News Analysts, Reporters, and Correspondents | 91,600 |
| 4 | Unemployed | 0 |
| 4 | Education Administrators | 109,000 |
| 3 | Writers and Authors | 58,800 |
| 3 | Chief executives and legislators/public administration | 183,000 |
Top 10 Early-Career Industries
These are the top industries for Journalism majors aged 25-35 and the median income they received in the industry. The share indicates the percentage of Journalism majors aged 25-35 who worked in that industry.
| Share | Industry | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Radio and television broadcasting and cable | 61,100 |
| 6 | Advertising | 73,500 |
| 5 | Newspaper publishing and printing | 48,200 |
| 5 | Elementary and secondary schools | 54,800 |
| 4 | Colleges and universities | 56,700 |
| 4 | Computer and data processing services | 86,700 |
| 3 | Management and public relations services | 68,000 |
| 3 | Printing, publishing, and allied industries, except newspapers | 59,000 |
| 3 | Eating and drinking places | 36,200 |
| 3 | Legal services | 86,700 |
Top 10 Mid-Career Industries
These are the top industries for Journalism majors aged 45-55 and the median income they received in the industry. The share indicates the percentage of Journalism majors aged 45-55 who worked in that industry.
| Share | Industry | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Elementary and secondary schools | 60,600 |
| 7 | N/A (not applicable) | 0 |
| 5 | Colleges and universities | 79,900 |
| 4 | Radio and television broadcasting and cable | 107,000 |
| 4 | Newspaper publishing and printing | 73,700 |
| 3 | Advertising | 112,000 |
| 3 | Management and public relations services | 89,200 |
| 3 | Printing, publishing, and allied industries, except newspapers | 86,800 |
| 3 | Insurance | 100,000 |
| 3 | Legal services | 108,000 |
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